Best CD I've heard so far 2011.........

Gillian Welch fans should like the new one. Probably not up to the masterpiece Time, and perhaps not quite up to the excellent Revival and Soul Journey, but very fine. The standout may be "The Way it Goes," which exemplifies her trademark understated creepiness.

Agreed - it's a good album, but does not reach the same heights as previous efforts. It has a slower pace and is not quite as dark. I'm going to see her tonight in concert and will be curious to see how some of this translates to live performance. Rawlings is always amazing to watch regardless - can't believe the sounds he gets from the Epiphone sometimes.

Someone introduced me to a powerful album in another forum. Not from this year, but this was my introduction to him. An entirely a capella recording of Nimrod Workman, a Kentucky cole miner, singing his own and traditionals. Stark and unsettling at times, and also quite lovely. He must have been in his 80's or 90's when this was recorded. The album is called, I Want to Go Where Things Are Beautiful, and came out in 2008, posthumously. If you like authentic Appalachian traditionals, definitely check this out.

Hey Jax. Sounds like you've Gillian before. Be prepared for a slow show, and try to get seats. When I saw her and DR, they did "Tennesse Stud" at roughly the pace of a Grateful Dead dirge. Charming stuff, but not Dancin' Music.

I'll seek out Nimrod; expect you've heard Elizabeth LaPrelle: more solo voice from the Southern Mountains, and pretty cool.

John

Have fun at the show old man. Thought you gave up live music? I agree 100% with your take on her new album. I do enjoy it and grateful she is making music...not her best though. Unfortunately, she is not coming around the Ohio way so we'd have to travel to make her tour. We did talk about it.

New Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr. Amazing witty music and band name. Genius out of Detroit.

Hey Jax. Sounds like you've Gillian before. Be prepared for a slow show, and try to get seats. When I saw her and DR, they did "Tennesse Stud" at roughly the pace of a Grateful Dead dirge. Charming stuff, but not Dancin' Music.

Nothing, I repeat, nothing on any of her albums prepares you for what they are like live. I so disagree with you on this, John. I saw her and David play the Moore years ago just after they released Revelator. I was braced for a bit of boredom then but was riveted the entire show and was amazed how two artists with guitars and no backkup could hold an entire audience so spellbound for an entire show. The show last night was sold out and had people standing on their feet and calling them back to a standing ovation twice after playing two sets already. Rawlings is a gifted guitar player and it's just amazing the sounds he coaxes from that old Epiphone. His musical improvisation is mindboggling. He is one with that guitar and speaks with it as naturally as trees sway in the wind or the the waves break against the shore. Gillian's voice is powerful and yet somehow soothing at the same time. They complement each other so well, and exude an uplifting and powerful energy in spite of the dark content of many of their songs. I'm very glad they mixed it up, playing only about 1/4 of the show from the new CD. I think an entire show from the new CD would indeed be too slow. Just like the first show, Rawlings had the audience mesmerized at his playing - one of the highlights was Time the Revelator, where his solo rif prompted a standing ovation in the middle of the song and a thunderous standing ovation from the entire audience at its conclusion. Another was the closing song, on their second encore, a uniquely inspired cover of Jefferson Airplane's, White Rabbit. Outstanding show - best I've been to in a long while and I distinctly remember feeling the same way the first time I saw them. They are heading up to the Vancouver Folk Festival next where there part of a great lineup there (though I'm not fond of outdoor venues and crowds). Richard, I'll never give up live music entirely. I've just become far more selective about who I see and especially of the venue. The Moore is an excellent musical venue, and having seen them there before I knew it would suit them very well. Just an outstanding show! If you get a chance to see them live, and you like their music, don't miss it.